Eligibility
NYPIUA is an association of all insurance companies that sell fire insurance in New York State as defined in Article 54 of the Insurance Law of New York State: We write:
- Buildings (Dwelling and Commercial properties).
- Contents of commercial premises.
- Household Furnishings/Personal Property.
Our basic coverage form generally provides fire and extended coverage which include coverage for the following perils: wind (including hurricane), hail, explosion (except for steam boilers), riot, civil commotion, aircraft, vehicles, and smoke, as well as coverage for vandalism and malicious mischief. A higher premium a Broad Form coverage form is available which includes coverage for the Basic coverage form perils plus coverage for the following perils: property damage by burglars (not theft of property), falling objects, weight of ice, snow or sleet, accidental discharge of water or steam, sudden cracking of a steam or hot water heating system, freezing, and sudden damage from artificial electric currents. NYPIUA policies that include Broad Form coverage are subject to a 2% hurricane deductible for insured properties located in the following counties: Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), Nassau, New York (Manhattan), Queens, Richmond (Staten Island), Suffolk, Westchester. This deductible takes effect for hurricane losses twelve (12) hours before and after a hurricane category 2, 3, 4, or 5, as declared by the National Weather Service, makes landfall anywhere in New York State.
NYPIUA policies are generally offered on an actual cash value basis. However, policies written in conjunction with a voluntary market policy that includes an approved “wraparound” endorsement can provide building coverage on a replacement cost basis (see Coastal Market Assistance Program (C-MAP)).
NYPIUA policies do not include liability, flood, or theft coverage. Since coverage offered through NYPIUA is limited and sold at a higher premium than coverage offered in the voluntary market, you and/or your agent or broker should make every effort to get this insurance from a voluntary insurer.
| Limits of Liability | Occupied | Occupied (Subject to Loss Control Inspection) | Vacant or Unoccupied |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Habitational occupancy classes: | |||
| a) One, two, three or four family private dwelling buildings per location | $600,000 | N/A | $100,000 |
| b) Household and personal property usual or incidental to the occupancy of each private dwelling unit or each apartment dwelling unit and additional living expense | $250,000 | N/A | N/A |
| c) Rental value per location | $50,000 | N/A | N/A |
| 2. Schools: | |||
| a) Real Property used solely for educational purposes | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 |
| b) Tangible personal property located in real property eligible under 2(a) above and tuition fees | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 |
| 3. All other occupancy classes with respect to buildings and business income: | |||
| a) Fire Resistive Construction | $1,200,000 | $1,500,000 | $500,000 |
| b) Ordinary Masonry Construction | $750,000 | $1,200,000 | $300,000 |
| c) Frame Construction | $600,000 | N/A | $100,000 |
| 4. All other occupancy classes with respect to contents, business income of manufacturing and non-manufacturing, extra expense and leasehold interest: | |||
| a) Fire Resistive Construction | $300,000 | $625,000 | N/A |
| b) Ordinary Masonry Construction | $250,000 | $500,000 | N/A |
| c) Frame Construction | $250,000 | N/A | N/A |
What conditions are not eligible for coverage with NYPIUA?
Buildings and/or Building Owners meeting the following conditions are NOT eligible for coverage with NYPIUA:
- Vacant or Unoccupied buildings that do not meet NYPIUA boarding standards or aren’t protected by an intrusion alarm. See Application Supplement for Vacant or Partially Vacant Buildings and Those Under Repair or Reconstruction for further requirements.
- Buildings that have characteristics of ownership, condition, occupancy or maintenance that indicate lack of care.
- Buildings which are in arrears on property taxes or utility bills for 2 years or more.
- Buildings where running water/sewer, heat and electricity have been disconnected and insured has failed to pay his account within 120 days.
- Buildings with material damage including damage to walls, floors or roofs not undergoing active repair.
- Buildings with unsafe heating or electrical wiring.
- Buildings with unsafe or illegal occupancy.
- Buildings that have outstanding violations of codes, laws or other regulations affecting occupancy.
- Buildings or Personal Property which has sustained 2 or more losses in the last 3 years where such loss was in the control of the Insured and for which there has been no remedy implemented to prevent further loss.
- Building Owners who have been convicted of arson or crime involving defrauding an insurance company.
- Property owners who have not paid an uncontested premium on a prior policy with NYPIUA.
Although otherwise eligible, the following properties are NOT eligible for DP 02 Broad Form Coverage:
- Vacant or substantially vacant buildings.
- Buildings in the course of construction or reconstruction.
- Buildings or contents therein which have had 2 or more broad form peril losses within the last 3 years and such losses are due to conditions which are within the control of any insured.
- Buildings with deteriorated plumbing systems.
- Mobile homes.
What are the eligibility requirements for vacant buildings under repair or reconstruction (Renovation)?
All basement, 1st floor and fire escape windows and doors must be boarded at the end of each day when workers are absent or the property may be protected by a central station intrusion alarm system, where such service is active. Provide either clear exterior photographs of all sides of the building or a current copy of the alarm certification from the alarm company along with the application and deposit. Please review Part C of Application Supplement for Vacant, Partially Vacant & Buildings under Repair/Reconstruction (NY AL 00 29) for more instructions.
What are the eligibility requirements for vacant dwellings?
All windows and doors must be boarded to NYPIUA specifications. In lieu of boarding your building, you may install a central station intrusion monitoring alarm system. Provide either clear exterior photographs of all sides of the building or a copy of the alarm certification from the alarm company. The maximum limit is $100,000 building coverage and no Vandalism coverage is provided. The deductibles for building described as vacant is 5% of the amount of insurance. See Part B of Application Supplement for Vacant, Partially Vacant & Buildings under Repair/Reconstruction (NY AL 00 29) for security requirements. Newly purchased buildings are insurable as long as repair or reconstruction will commence within 60 days.
What are the eligibility requirements for vacant commercial buildings?
All windows and doors must be boarded to NYPIUA Specifications. Please review Part B of Application Supplement for Vacant, Partially Vacant & Buildings under Repair/Reconstruction (NY AL 00 29). In lieu of boarding your building, you may install a central station intrusion monitoring alarm system. If there is a vacant storefront, a roll down gate is acceptable for that section of the building for security. Provide either clear exterior photographs of all sides of the building or a copy of the alarm certification from the alarm company. For maximum limits for vacant commercial properties please visit Commercial Property Info.
What are the eligibility requirements for buildings under new construction (Builder's Risk)?
Construction must be continuous and ongoing. Photographs must be attached to the application to show the status of construction at the time of application. Building must be secured when construction is 95% completed. The building is considered 95% completed when the framing and roof are in place, the windows are installed, and the interior construction is in the final stage. When workers are absent, all accessible windows and doors must be secured(boarded) frame to frame with plywood. A central station intrusion alarm is acceptable.
What are the eligibility requirements for windstorm coverage for coastal homes (located within 1500' of salt water measured from normal high tide mark)?
These risks are subject to minimum Hurricane protection standards which have been approved by the state of New York in order to be eligible for Windstorm coverage. These standards can be found on Windstorm Eligibility. If the building is subject to this certification, NYPIUA will mail the necessary documentation and requirements to you.